Once Harry had woken and showered, he took over the controls of the Surprise and approached the planet at an easy clip. Charley took more time to emerge from her warp sleep, but within an hour of waking she had showered and was sipping her traditional restorative citron chai in the cockpit.
“Copy that, Deep Blue,” said Harry. “We might have a reception party waiting for us.”
The old pirate said it with a smile so Charley wasn’t too worried. Vanessa and Gronko appeared as Harry took the Surprise in for docking. The big alien was quiet and pensive. Vanessa was dressed in one of Charley’s spare jumpsuits. It was a size smaller than what Vanessa would normally wear and it accentuated her large breasts and ripe buttocks. Charley greeted her warmly but felt strangely awkward when she looked at her. Why was she noticing Vanessa’s body? She put it down to the fatigue of her experience on Mina IV and Bonesse.
The Surprise broke orbit and soared over a planet shrouded in dark cloud. Harry received welcome guidance from Deep Blue Command as he banked through the thick cloud. Eventually they broke through the cloud and found themselves soaring over a choppy, limitless ocean dotted with white caps. Charley lost herself in the swarming, heaving ocean, glad to be warm and dry in the Surprise. That water looked extremely inhospitable. Ahead the domes of Deep Blue hove into view. It was an elegant structure and the curved lines seemed to fit with the surrounding marine oceanscape. Charley was excited to see two or three hotels looming high above the trading hub.
Harry docked neatly at the nominated node and the airlock hatch glowed green. Dressed and ready, the party clambered out onto the windswept deck. A gaggle of suited men waited for them. They were all offered flutes of champagne as they approached. Charley accepted hers with a bemused smile.
“On behalf of Mincorp, we welcome you to Deep Blue, ma’am,” said one of the men.
Of course. MinCorp knew that Charley held the contract to mine the asteroid and that their cargo bay probably carried some spectacular minerals.
“I’m sure we can do some trading today,” Charley said teasingly as her party was escorted down the dock. She noticed the bulges of plasma weapons under the corporate suits. There was also a man standing at the rail of the building above them. Probably a sniper.
“Thanks for the security,” said Harry casually. “The Pirate Guild have made some enemies in the past week or so.”
“I’ll be honest,” said the rep, “MinCorp needed to pay off a number of bounties just so you could dock and do business with us.”
Charley stiffened. “And after the deal is done?” she asked coldly.
The rep shrugged. “Then you’ll probably have enough money to run your own security.”
It was a fair point. Charley took a sip of champagne and felt herself relax. The MinCorp suits led the crew into a marble foyer and up a drop shaft to a plush observation deck on the top level of Deep Blue. Charley and the others ignored a smorgasbord of exotic refreshments but did take a few seconds to drink in the view. Tumultuous blue water to the horizon in every direction. She could see storm systems and even what she thought was a huge water spout to the north. It was ruggedly beautiful.
“And now,” she said with an enchanting smile, “Let the negotiations begin.”
Even though Charley was still a novice pirate, she felt as though she’d come a long way in the art of business and negotiation. The deal with MinCorp was relatively simple as both parties had agreed to begin on fair terms. For Mincorp, quick business was good business. They were going to make a grand profit no matter what. For Charley, MinCorp had rights to the minerals and it would be foolish to try and double-cross them or deal with someone else. After all, her operation was still relatively small and thus vulnerable. For all her newfound professionalism, Charley still struggled to contain her awe at the figures that were bandied around. MinCorp took a good look at the cargo manifest and the parties eventually settled on the figure of 107,800. Charley could barely breathe as the MinCorp rep transferred the funds as if he was buying an ice cream. It was more money than she had ever dreamed of seeing. More than she had expected to make her whole life. Harry had a similar gleam in his eyes as the MinCorp personnel shook their hands and took their leave. With a sinking feeling Charley watched the previously hidden security personnel follow MinCorp down the drop shaft.
Charley and her friends were the only people left standing on the observation deck.
“Alone and rich,” Charley mused. “Are we gonna get out of here alive, Harry?”
The old pirate didn’t look too worried. His fingers danced over his wrist pad.
“May I have access to our funds, Captain?”
Charley smiled, enjoying the title. “Of course, Pirate Teks,” she said, granting Harry full authority.
“Right,” Harry said, scanning his data. “I’ve organized a Guildmasters rep to come show us to their office here. No one will attack us while we’re dealing with them.”
“Smart,” Gronko muttered. “I want to update my kills anyway.”
“From there we have engaged the Ajuna Sapphire Hotel and organized security befitting the party that has just booked the penthouse suite for a full week.”
Charley smiled. She could’ve ravished the old man right there. She couldn’t wait to soak her body in hot water and sleep in a soft bed. Her bed on the Surprise was solid but hardly luxurious.
Not one, but three Guild reps dressed in stylized tangerine jumpsuits arrived to escort the pirate crew to the Guildmasters office. Charley threw Vanessa a reassuring look as if to tell her that all this would soon be over.
21
The meeting with the Guildmasters was short but strangely sobering. The Guildmasters had already assessed their kills and loot from the planet Bonesse. They had achieved this by activating their man on the planet who operated a remote drone that flew over the Silent Runner’s facilities that now lay in ruins. The Pirate Guild had risen several notches in the overall Guild rankings but were still considered a minor force. Charley Silverton had risen in rank from Novice to Gunslinger, even though she was considered Captain by her own crew. Charley was disquieted by the number of kills against her name - thirteen. She hadn’t remembered killing that many bandits, and felt a little sick at the number. She had promised herself not to be too detached about the taking of people’s lives but when these deaths occurred at a distance it was difficult to give each one due recognition. Charley felt as though little shards of her soul had been stripped away with every kill. But at the end of the day it came with the territory. She was sure to have many more kills over her career as a pirate.
The highest ranked pirate crew member was Gronko, who was now officially recognized as a pirate. His number of kills was staggering. Harry came next, his ranking only now coming back from the dead. Vanessa was of course listed as a novice pirate. Vinnie was listed as deceased and Charley was quite happy for the Guildmasters to go on believing that. She shook her head at the visions of Vinnie tearing the Silent Runner space station apart with his bare hands. She still couldn’t quite believe what she’d witnessed. But all she wanted to do right now was focus on more immediate pleasures. She’d earned the right to relax and she was going to take it with both hands.
The Guildmasters noted the Pirate Guild’s successful deal with MinCorp and further updated their rankings. The last item of business was a warning - several assassins were en route to Deep Blue to wipe out the Pirate Guild. Not all of them were commissioned by the Silent Runners - at least two had been sent by the new Empire itself. Charley could hardly believe that her little band had come under the attention of Emperor Galactus but the Guildmasters rarely got these things wrong. Charley could only assume that any recent “criminal” activity was immediately punishable by the Empire. That spelt trouble for the Pirate Guild. But all that could wait. The Guild now had some serious money. Which meant options and leverage.
> Tomorrow was the time to think about all this stuff. Charley needed a good soak and a good sleep first. She was glad to find two burly hotel bodyguards standing outside the Guildmasters’s office, ready to escort them up to the penthouse of the Ajuna Sapphire.
Charley fidgeted nervously as they piled into the central drop shaft. It would so easy for a determined assassin to leave a limpet mine or something on the external casing of the shaft. For the moment she would just have to put her faith in the hotel security.
Charley almost ran down the corridor to their penthouse door. She could hear Harry ordering the bodyguards to wait outside as she entered with bated breath. The penthouse was amazing. An open plan living area spilled down into a huge deck that encircled the penthouse. The external walls were entirely glass through which they could see the stormy ocean for miles and miles. A huge fire roared behind a grill in a central smoke shaft. The kitchen was replete with fresh fruit and champagne. The master bedroom was in a raised loft area that overlooked the whole property. Charley walked around in silent wonder, a hand over her mouth. Now this was living. Harry and Vanessa made themselves comfortable, amused at Charley’s reaction. With a chuckle she realized she had tears in her eyes. She hadn’t realized how important this moment would be. The moment when she discovered that she was actually somebody in the universe - a person of influence and status. This penthouse, as material as it might be, represented everything she had always aspired to. She had grown up with nothing and was made to believe that she would always have nothing. To stay here in the penthouse of Deep Blue was a dream made real.
Gronko ordered some room service and retired to his room, looking weary but at peace.
Charley unhooked her weapons belt and snuggle alongside Vanessa on the couch and order them both some clothes. They flicked through the fashion catalog offered by the hotel, the light projection filling the floor space in front of them. They scrolled through dresses, lingerie and accessories, selecting items that would make them feel a little more ladylike during their shore leave at Deep Blue. They giggled when the clothes arrived, in the right sizes, within a half hour. A TradeBot arrived at the door pulling on a pallet and completed the transaction for them. The girls had fun storing their clothes in a huge walk in wardrobe. When they returned to the living area Harry had poured a few glasses of champagne and was standing urbanely by the glass wall. Charley sipped at her exquisite, plum-infused beverage and decided it was time for that soak. The hot tub was built into a wooden deck right next to the northern glass wall. As night fell outside, an aurora appeared in the northern sky. Streaks of graceful blue, green and yellow light rippled across the dark sky. It was the perfect close to what had been a very good day.
Charley changed into a cheeky red string bikini and climbed into the steaming hot water of the tub. There were no bubbles - she didn’t like the soapy mountains that obscured everything under the water.
A pair of feet appeared beside her. It was Harry, dressed in … nothing.
“I didn’t get a chance to shop like you did,” he explained. “I promise to keep things above board.”
Charley grinned, glancing around for Vanessa. The poor girl must have retreated when she saw Harry’s nudity.
Harry climbed in next to Charley and sighed in relief and pleasure. They watched the colorful northern lights for a long time, unwinding after the travails of the past week.
At length Charley remembered Vanessa and felt bad that she was missing out on all the fun.
“Vanessa!” she called out.
The girl answered sheepishly from the loft but Charley convinced her to come out in one of her new bikini outfits.
“Are you sure it’s OK?” she asked politely.
“Girl, get your ass out here or you’re fired!”
Vanessa giggled as she changed into her bikini. She emerged in a gold string bikini that was both elegant and modest, but somehow only emphasized her considerable assets. She climbed in nervously, sitting opposite Charley and Harry.
Seeing her two friends in the hot tub with her made Charley feel a little light-headed. She tried to make Vanessa feel comfortable with a little small talk about clothes and shopping. Harry participated cheerfully, climbing out of the hot tub to refill their champagne flutes. Charley noticed Vanessa looking at the old pirate as she prowled around the penthouse. Harry must have been a little excited by sitting in the tub with two scantily clad young women because he was hanging rather low and heavy. Despite this he kept himself in check with admirable discipline.
Once Harry had climbed back in the conversation turned to more personal matters like amusing sexual stories. The champagne flowed a little more and Vanessa seemed to relax with a glassy look in her eye. Harry’s bare leg frequently nudged against Charley’s and she welcomed the contact. The steam rising off the water made her body glisten and look extremely ripe.
As Harry laughed at something Vanessa said, Charley noticed the old man’s stiffness under the water. She rested her hand on his thigh, inching closer to his manhood. That just made him harder. He pretended as if nothing had happened, happy to continue the conversation. Vanessa became more bubbly and animated with each drink until she too looked flushed and ripe for the plucking. Her cleavage glistened from the steam and seemed to sit on top of the water.
“Vanessa,” Harry said in a deeper voice all of a sudden. “Can I make a very personal request?”
Vanessa nodded, looking at Harry affectionately.
“You’ll have to excuse me, but I couldn’t help but notice something,” said Harry smoothly. “Since we got together to chat and enjoy this wonderful champagne I seem to have lost all my clothes. That makes me uncomfortable.”
Vanessa gave Harry a crooked grin and looked away shyly. Charley was becoming excited by where this conversation was going.
“To even things out I think you might consider removing your bikini? Just the top would be enough to make me feel more welcome here in the hot tub.”
This time Vanessa laughed outright and almost snorted champagne up her nose. She looked at Harry, knowing the old man was quite serious under his pleasant demeanor. Then she looked at Charley, and at the hand that was so clearly giving him some special attention.
“I wouldn’t want you to feel uncomfortable, Harry,” Vanessa eventually said in a quiet voice. She arched her back and reached around to her bra strap. She released it with a flick of her fingers and the material became loose. Slowly, her eyes never leaving Harry’s, she unhooked her arms and drew the bra away. Her breasts fell free in all their round glory. Charley found herself holding her breath. The breasts were heavy and ripe.
“Is that better?” she asked Harry.
“Wonderful,” murmured the old pirate. “Just perfect.”
Charley only had to feel how rock hard Harry was to know that he meant every word.
“May I sit next to you for a while?” Harry asked Vanessa.
“Of course,” the girl said. “But what about Charley?”
“I’m fine over here,” Charley promised, already planning her next course of action. Things were about to get very hot indeed in the tub. Harry slid over to Vanessa and put an arm around her.
“My second question is also a personal one,” Harry warned her.
“I don’t mind,” came the reply.
“I’ve seen your body, and now I really want to touch it,” Harry said. “Find out if you’re just a mirage.”
22
Charley woke to the lapping of waves against the base of Deep Blue. It was such a peaceful sound - the perfect beginning to the new day.
It was time to address Gronko’s medical needs. The big renki had earned the right to be treated at the Pirate Guild’s expense. Charley booked him in to the private medical facility and selected a quantum limb to be attached to his stump. Replacement limbs were much the fleshy originals, only much stronger. The catch was that they were hideously expensive. This one was going to cost 12,000. Charley hoped the renki would stick around for a wh
ile after such an expense.
Charley was glad to find the med facility was able to provide artificial renki limbs as well as human.
Gronko was picked up by a medical team and dispatched for day surgery. Charley made sure he was accompanied by at least two hotel bodyguards.
The next issue was ongoing security for the Pirate Guild at large. Harry found a number of likely candidates from Nex. Charley scrolled through his short list and found a woman in her forties. She had never been married or had children. She wasn’t from Deep Blue (not many people were) but from Gisten, the neighboring system. Her name was Molly Tanner and she had long experience working for MinCorp on Deep Blue.
“MinCorp would be a tough client,” Harry advised. “That kind of experience would be invaluable.”
Charley requested a meeting with Molly and was rewarded with a meeting in person within the hour. Molly stepped into the penthouse and looked around as if she was already assessing the potential threats.
The bodyguard looked different to how Charley pictured her in her mind. Molly Tanner wasn’t as athletic as she imagined she might be. She wasn’t exactly overweight, just a little chunky. She had long, curly hair and had a plain face carved from granite. Her figure was typical for a woman of her age. Her breasts were very large but had clearly gone south over the years. Her legs were short and her butt was ripe and round. She was clearly very strong, hefting a thick ammo belt around her waist as well as carrying a lethal looking medium range assault rifle.
Molly’s smile lit up the whole penthouse when she heard that Charley and the others were pirates. “Well, ain’t that the fuckin’ bees knees! I’m tempted to work for free.”
“No need for that,” Charley assured her. “But all my employees become pirates if things work out.”
Molly’s face took on such a look of childlike wonder that Charley had to hire her on the spot. A contract was signed for twelve months with options to extend before then.
The Pirate Captain (The Space Pirate Chronicles Book 2) Page 13
